Rape and politics

[leo9]

One detail I've seen reported, for example, is that NYPD's evidence collected at the scene includes the sheets from his room, with blood on. Unless it's his (a nosebleed perhaps?) it would quite strongly indicate some violent altercation took place - indeed, more violent than the little glimpse most media reports have given us of the incident.

I think this must be a mistake, since the prosecution lawyer has never been quoted as mentioning it when he lists the evidence he's still relying on. Semen samples yes, blood no.

The story of a previous incident in which he went at a much younger female journalist "like a rutting ape" seems to fit that, though.

Actually, that could end up counting in his favour. Since his story is that he did have sex with her, but that she was a prostitute who cried rape because she wasn't paid enough, the fact that he has a taste for violent sex would help explain away any bruises on the plaintiff.

Tying in with other recent headlines in the UK, this is what media reporting restrictions were originally supposed to be used for in the UK: where detailed media coverage of a criminal case in progress would impede a fair trial, not because releasing information is inconvenient to some 'celebrity'!

Actually, I think the converage has been pretty fair. When there was nothing but the prosecution case, they ran that: now the defence case is clear - and has been upheld to the extent of his going out without bail - that is being run just as widely.

If it was a conspiracy, it was a pretty half-baked one that seems likely to have the opposite result. (You'd think a conspiracy would have found a "victim" with fewer embarrassing secrets.) Even before this new development, 60% in France thought he was being framed. If he is cleared, which seems increasingly likely (and I speak of the legalistic position, not whether I think he did it), I would not be surprised if he was back in the French Presidential race with a PR boost as the man they tried to do down and failed.